First Sunday after Christmas |
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Scripture |
Luke 2:22-40 22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel , and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, 33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel , and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem . 39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee , to their own town of Nazareth . 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
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Devotional |
In Luke’s story, the Messiah will emerge from within a family and social world deeply enmeshed in the tradition of Israel , a pious and expectant “people of God.” His parents observe the laws regarding circumcision, purification, and presentation of the first born a dedicated to the Lord, and do so within the symbolic heart of the people, Jerusalem , and its Temple . 1 Jesus’ parents fulfill the requirements of tradition and law. Mary and Joseph follow the requirements of the Jewish law. Jesus respects the tradition but he turns to a new and different way of serving and worshiping God. Joseph and Mary saw God at work in the events they had experienced. They found effective rituals for celebrating the presence of God in the ordinary of their lives. How easy it is to accept traditions which make life simple and structure order in our lives? Did God intend that ritual would become so restrictive that it would take away the goodness and mystery of faith? What was the purpose of the appearance of Simeon and Anna? Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Simeon’s vision of Jesus’ ministry does not follow the religion as presently practiced in Israel . Simeon presents a Messiah who is to recover the mystery of faith and life. Adding an interior aspect of faith to combine with the present ritual; Jesus would present a God who was present in everyday life. The question: “Where is God found?” is answered by Jesus. Did Simeon and Anna assist John the Baptist in preparing the way for Jesus? These two radicals come to lead us in a new year where we have new experiences of God. Jesus provides a new and surprising experience of God.
1 Luke Timothy Johnson, The Gospel of Luke. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1991. p. 56 |